Boats under work in the Fremantle Shipwrights sheds at the Fremantle Sailing Club

Restoring, repairing and maintaining

Boat repair and maintenance services

Fremantle Shipwrights has a full team of shipwrights, painters, polishers and labourers working out of the Fremantle Sailing Club. We can take on anything from a full or partial refit to teak and cork decks, bow thrusters, hull extensions and fibreglass repairs, and just about everything in between.

Boat lifts and undercover sheds are all organised in house. If a job needs a trusted electrician, plumber, engineer, stainless welder, trimmer or canopy builder, we have the list on hand. As a Preferred Insurance Repairer, we cover all aspects of insurance work as well.

Group 1

Repairs & insurance work

Fibreglass & gelcoat repairs

We take on fibreglass repairs of every size, from a cracked gelcoat to rebuilding whole sections of hull, cabin and deck. On Argo Navis, which had been T-boned in a race off Freshwater Bay, we rebuilt part of the galley and forward cabin, re-sprayed her, and had her looking better than before the accident. We use fibreglass mat with Vinylester resin where water resistance matters, then Awlgrip high-build primer before filling and fairing.

Insurance repair work

Fremantle Shipwrights is a preferred provider for many insurance companies. We work alongside Club Marine, Nautilus Marine, Trident Insurance Group and SGIO, handling complete refurbishments and restorations on claim work. See our dedicated insurance page for how a claim job runs.

Insurance repairs

Paint repairs & respray

Repairing or re-spraying paintwork is one of the quickest ways to bring a boat back to life before summer. We use high-quality paint and preparation materials, including Awlgrip 2000 topcoat, for a clean, durable finish.

Group 2

Restorations & refits

Timber restorations

If your boat has rotten, damp or damaged timber, a restoration brings back both the look and the function. On Hiawatha we lifted the old teak decking, repaired the rot underneath the plywood and around the forward windows, and laid a new teak deck in Burmese teak. Enquire ahead of the Fremantle boating season so we can book the yard time.

Fit-outs & re-fits

A new interior changes how you use the boat. On Maria, formerly Scouts Honour, Helen and Jeff asked us to make the inside flow out to the deck and back again. We stripped the saloon, reclaimed half the downstairs bathroom to fit a washing machine and extend the galley, designed new lounge and seating so the cook stays part of the conversation, laid a cork deck out the back, and extended the flybridge hardtop for shade. The whole fit-out was designed and built on site in our Fremantle Sailing Club shed.

Teak & cork decks

Teak and cork make a durable, good-looking deck that stands up to the elements and lasts through the season and beyond. We lay and repair both at the Fremantle yard, including the new teak decking on Sovereign in Burmese teak.

Group 3

Maintenance & protection

Antifouling, Propspeed & polishing

Antifoul keeps algae, barnacles and marine growth off the hull and running gear below the waterline, where build-up costs you performance and fuel. Boats stored afloat should be checked each year. Propspeed is a foul-release coating for propellers and metal surfaces that releases no toxic elements into the water and keeps the props running clean. Polishing keeps the rest of the underwater area in good condition. Get a quote and we will assess what your boat needs and have it ready for next summer.

Sand & soda blasting

We have a dedicated sandblasting shed at the Fremantle Sailing Club. Every boat is fully taped and tarped to keep overspray down. After blasting we use a moisture meter to work out the right coating for your hull, then build it back up with quality primers and antifouling agents.

Group 4

Installations

Bow & stern thrusters

A bow or stern thruster gives you real control coming alongside, even on a big boat. We fitted one of the first Side Power thrusters in Fremantle around 20 years ago and still fit the same brand today, because it has stood the test of time. One of our first customers said it changed his boating forever.

Hardtops

We design, build and repair hardtops to suit the boat and the shade you need, including fibreglass hardtops built in the Fremantle shed.

Group 5

Commercial

Commercial work

Commercial boat maintenance is all done at the Fremantle workshop, from general upkeep, changing locks and cabinetry repairs through to re-varnishing, paintwork and full restorations. Our team has handled the lot.

In the shed

Materials and brands we trust

Awlgrip 2000 topcoat Awlfair epoxy filler Vinylester resin Dynel laminate Burmese teak Side Power thrusters Propspeed

Not sure where to start

Not sure which one you need?

Tell us what is happening with the boat and we will point you the right way and sort a quote.